Rules and Manners

General

Do

Be courteous. Seats next to the doors are reserved for senior citizens and riders with disabilities. Please give your seat to someone who needs it more than you do.

Put trash in trash bins and newspapers in the newspaper recycling bins.

Give senior citizens and riders with disabilities priority when using the elevators.

Stand at least two feet behind the edge of the platform. Flashing lights along the platform edge announce that a train is arriving. A recorded voice followed by chimes warn that train doors are closing.

Follow official instructions at all times. Try to remain calm in emergencies.

Step carefully over the gap between the train door and the platform.

Report any unattended packages to a transit police officer, station manager or train operator.

Don't

Eat, drink, smoke or litter on Metro vehicles or in stations. Metro Transit Police issue citations or make arrests to enforce the law.

Try to block or force train doors open. They do not reopen like elevator doors.

Touch the train doors when they are opening or closing.

Lean against the train doors.

Run in the station.

Sit on the platform edge.

Walk on the trackbed. The third rail carries 750 volts of electricity. Always stay away from it even if you think the power is off. The third-rail power is usually not affected during a station power outage.

On Escalators

Do

Stand facing forward and hold the handrail.

Hold children by the hand.

Keep feet away from the sides.

Make sure you have no dangling clothing or loose shoelaces that could get caught.

To stop an escalator
in an emergency, use the emergency button. Emergency stop buttons are at the top and bottom of the escalators on the right hand side near the floor under a flap.

Don't

Ride barefoot.

Run on the escalator.

Run down the up escalator or vice versa.

Sit on the steps or the handrail.

Take the escalator if you are using a stroller, wheelchair or handcart or have a heavy load.

For Parents

Do

Hold a small child's hand at all times. On escalators, make sure your child's other hand is not touching the side panel.

If you have a stroller, use the elevator. There's no safe way to carry an infant in a stroller on an escalator. If the elevator is out of service, carry your infant in your arms, fold the stroller, and take the escalator.

Make sure that your child has no dangling clothing, untied shoelaces or unbuckled shoes.

Make sure your child gets on and off the train with you. Help each child step on and off the train or escalator safely.

Devise a plan ahead of time with your children on what to do in case you get separated. If you do get separated, tell a Metro employee. Station managers, transit police, train operators, and street and operations supervisors are all trained to help you.